> There seems to have been a change in the roster as far as the 1719
> down Bacchus Marsh train is concerned. Normally an A class working
> (except for the odd R class <g!>), there has been no A on the train
> since Thu 25 Sep 1997.
>
> The train is now run by P class with X40 running last Friday, P18
> yesterday and P23 today (all freight locos, not pass). Interestingly,
> the consist still contains the power car, even though P classes have
> HEP.
>
> With V/Line Passenger keeping only 4 A's, is the change on this train
> temporary or permanent? And why are the locos running this train
> freight allocated locos?
>
> Regards
>
> Yuri
>
> BTW, the 8107 (0825 ex Spencer Street) to Bacchus Marsh returning as
> 8124 (0950 ex Bacchus Marsh) is still an A class
>
> Yuri J Sos
> Melbourne
> %date% at %time%
Yuri :
Your reference to X40 running the 1719 B.Marsh was 1 day out, it was
Thurs. 25th and I did enjoy what may well have been my last 'steer' of an
'X' long-end leading on a Pass, as, in early Dec. I will probably be
allocated to the V/Line Freight Driver's roster at Sth. Dynon.
I am resentful of the fact that I have been forced to choose between the
two tasks, as I really do enjoy the variety of doing both types of work.
Oh well, shit happens, as they say !!
On the subject of your beloved 'A' class, some further additons to my
previous offering :
Sat. 20/9 : Ran 9461 ety Maryvale gds, ex NRC / MFT & ret. per taxi.
Locos were X41 ( L/E ), A85. 17 : 561 t. Ex MFT approx. 1200. Shunt at
Dandenong ( pick up 2 ety VOFX - briq., off at Morwell ) then to
Maryvale, arr. about 1600, R/A & shunt. Stable train & locos at Mill.
Great photographic opportunities for this train. I was surprised there
weren't any photographers out, except near Moe, where we crossed S313 on
the Up RTA special ex Sale !!
Mon. 22/9 : Ran 2230 Tocumwal gds 9353 ex Dynon Yd. A73, P23. Shunted at
Totty to pick up 10 x VHGF ( 75 mins to do that too !!!! ) Ran to
Shepparton, detached P23 for the Shepp. pilot, then on to Tocumwal. The
'A' thru to Toc. is a welcome change from the 'struggling' P syndrome.
[ Note : Big balls-up at Tocumwal a/c Totty attached the VHGF's between
the Mooroopna & Tocumwal container blocks, but miscalculated the position
of the cut-off point. Consequently, we took 4 extra flats to Toc. No
wonder they didn't fit in the loop there when cut off at the usual point
!!! Red faces back at Totty no doubt, but not our problem. ]
Tues. 23/9 : 1700 gds 9354 ex Tocumwal. A73. 20 : 1,010 t.
Vast improvement having sufficient power up front to get the train
'highballing' in good time, beats the screaming - P class - barely -
moving routine of previous rostering !!
Attached P23 at Shepp. Det. 5 x ety VHGF, att. 3 x Fasttrack.
Mooroopna, att. 18 more, ( Conts, ety Tanks, loaded VHGF's ) load up to 41
: 2,146 t.
Seymour : Att. A60 ex 8319.
Very nice little lash-up going home, got to Dynon about 2320.
Note : Crossed 9353 at W.footscray, with X36 ( L.E.), P22, so it is not a
guarenteed 'A' roster for this train, but mostly is.
Wed : 24/9. Ran 1430 Maryvale gds 9461 ret. 1930 9260 ex Morwell.
A85. 17 : 560 t. to Maryvale, R/A & shunt , unload / load 4 x VQDW, Stable
train. L.E. to Morwell Briq. Sdgs, run 9260 : 9 : 446 t. to Melb. Arrival
Yd, arr. 2130 & relieved.
In mid summer, there should be great phot. opportunities for this rostered
running.
Hope these snippets have been of interest guys.
I'm now on 7 weeks leave, so who knows what will be awaiting me on my
return, it could all be totally changed again !!!
Happy hunting Yuri.
Steve Bucton.
Loco Driver, Sth Dynon.